The Kerala High Court has quashed the proceedings initiated under Section 148 of the Income Tax Act against a PAN number that had already been cancelled. The court observed that initiating reassessment proceedings in the name of a non-existent or cancelled PAN entity is legally untenable. The bench emphasized that any notice or action under Section 148 must be issued against a valid and subsisting assessee, and failure to do so violates principles of natural justice. The ruling reinforces the necessity of due diligence by tax authorities before invoking reassessment powers.